Latest news with #T.J.
The Herald Scotland
5 hours ago
- Sport
- The Herald Scotland
Acclaimed helpline offers support to young Scots with SQA results
The pupils and students – along with their parents and carers – will be able to get support with their results through Skills Development Scotland's (SDS) Results Helpline (0808 100 8000), which opens from 8am on results day. The Helpline will once again be staffed by expert careers advisers to assist anybody that needs help with their options and next steps, providing impartial career information, advice and guidance. The team of qualified advisers from Scotland's national skills agency will be at the end of the phone line to offer guidance on colleges and universities, UCAS Confirmation and Clearing, apprenticeships, jobs and other training, volunteering, or staying on at school. Dave McCallum, Head of Career Information, Advice and Guidance Operations at SDS said: 'Our message for young people and their parents and carers as their results arrive is not to panic. Everything might seem overwhelming right now but remember that this is just one step on their journey. 'Our experienced advisers are here to provide expert support and guidance, offering information on a wide range of options and opportunities. They are also trained to help young people recognise that they are more than their exam results, giving them the confidence to see their strengths and abilities beyond qualifications.' The SDS Results Helpline has been going for 33 years and has helped tens of thousands of young Scots. There's also an SDS careers adviser linked to every secondary school in Scotland, with almost a quarter of a million school pupils from P7 to S6 receiving careers information, advice and guidance each year*. Calling the SDS Results Helpline was the start of ongoing career guidance for Greenock pupil T.J. Smith, who is now set on his goal for a career in sport. When T.J. opened his SQA certificate on Results Day last year and didn't get the National 5 results he had hoped for the 16 year old called the Results Helpline to find out more about the [[SQA]] appeals process. Inverclyde Academy pupil T.J. explained: 'I was nervous about my results, which weren't what I expected, so I called the Results Helpline to ask questions about my options and the appeals system. The adviser was really helpful and after we spoke I felt much better and knew what I needed to do.' The Results Helpline careers adviser who spoke to T.J. also sent a referral on to his SDS school careers adviser, Larry Hansen, who picked up conversations with the teen when he started fifth year. From then, Larry and T.J. met at school on a regular basis to look at options available to support his ambition to pursue a career in sport. Added T.J.: 'Now I know what qualifications I need to be able to get into my chosen career, so the support I got from Larry has helped me focus in school this year, so I could work towards my goals.' Education Secretary Jenny Gilruth said: 'Young people have so many different ways to achieve their qualifications, with many eagerly anticipating their results coming through next week. 'It is important that no matter how they do, young people and their families have access to trusted and reliable information on potential next steps. That is what the advisers at the Skills Development Scotland helpline provide. 'I would encourage everyone looking for impartial and expert advice on the options available, whether that is in work, training or further study, to consider contacting the helpline.' In addition to the dedicated SDS Results Helpline, young people and their parents or carers can also speak to an SDS adviser at a SDS centre or community venue, visit Scotland's career information and advice website, My World of Work, or speak to directly to an SDS school-based careers adviser for year-round support. The number for the 2025 SDS Results Helpline is 0808 100 8000 and will be open Tuesday 5 and Wednesday 6 August from 8am to 8pm and Thursday 7 and Friday 8 August from 9am to 5pm Careers adviser prescribes healthy future for Gracie Choosing a Foundation Apprenticeship at school was the best medicine for Gracie Forrester, who is now on a clear path to work in care. Gracie, from Perth, was thinking about leaving Bertha Park High School after fifth year with no plans for next steps, until she met with the school's Careers Adviser, Maxine Scott. (Image: Gracie Forrester gained experience at Blairgowrie Community Hospital) It was through meetings with Maxine that Gracie realised there were options to help her achieve her dream of working in Healthcare. Now Gracie is future focused, having gained invaluable work experience during her time in school, a part time job at a local care home and secured a place in college. Gracie, now 18, explained: 'I knew I wanted to work in Healthcare. I thought it would be a great career where I would be able to help people. 'I had picked subjects I liked, including Biology, but I wasn't enjoying school at all and suffered from anxiety. 'It was then that I met with Maxine, and she encouraged me to think more about my options. Together, we looked at jobs, college and courses I could take whilst still at school.' Maxine is one of hundreds of Skills Development Scotland Careers Advisers working across every state school in Scotland, supporting pupils with career information advice and guidance. Maxine said: 'Once I got to know more about Gracie we started to discuss her career ambitions and option choices and it was at that point I explained the opportunities with the Foundation Apprenticeship in Social Services and Healthcare, which is a school subject giving pupils the chance to gain work experience as part of their qualification.' A Foundation Apprenticeship is a subject choice that allows pupils to get real industry experience while they are still at school, combining time spent with a learning provider and an employer. Completion leads to a qualification at the same level as a Scottish Higher and recognised by all colleges and universities in Scotland for entry into their further and higher education courses. Gracie said: 'When Maxine told me about the Foundation Apprenticeship it sounded perfect. It would mean I would stay on at school but get the chance to learn at college and get on-the-job experience.' As part of her Foundation Apprenticeship with Perth UHI, Gracie spent one day a week working at Blairgowrie Community Hospital in the elderly ward. Gracie said: 'I absolutely loved my experience on my Foundation Apprenticeship and it made me even more confident that I wanted to work in Healthcare.' Gracie also used her school year to help catch up on other subjects, choosing Human Biology, a National Progression Award in Exercise and Fitness and a Higher in Literature and Communication. With Maxine's help, Gracie successfully applied for an HNC course in Healthcare Practice at Perth UHI, which starts in the new term. Meanwhile, the caring teen landed a support staff role at another local care home, offering paid work over the summer months. Gracie said: 'I've had my best year at school, and I would never have had the chance to experience it if I hadn't got advice from Maxine. Maxine has been an amazing support and has helped me a lot. As well as talking me through my options she's helped me with job and college applications, developing my CV and my interview skills.' There's still time for pupils starting senior phase to choose a Foundation Apprenticeship. To find out what subjects are available at your school and apply online visit
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Sport
- Yahoo
T.J. McConnell breaks down what it means to be a role player in the NBA with limited opportunity: "The guys that stay the longest adapt to change and know their role the best"
T.J. McConnell breaks down what it means to be a role player in the NBA with limited opportunity: "The guys that stay the longest adapt to change and know their role the best" originally appeared on Basketball Network. Every young hooper dreams of dropping 30 under the bright lights of the NBA. And it makes sense. That's what grabs headlines, that's what fills highlight reels, and more often than not, that's what gets you paid. But there are parts of the game that don't show up in the box score, and as much as people love to talk about buckets, those little things often end up making the biggest difference. No one understands that better than T.J. McConnell, the 6'1" guard who's been playing bigger than his height his entire career and just helped his team reach the NBA Finals. McConnell knows exactly who he is, and more importantly, who he is not. He doesn't go around chucking shots; rather, he picks his spots on the floor and tries to impact winning in more ways. "I feel that's something you got to be self-aware with," T.J. said when asked about players adapting to different levels of competition. "And I obviously knew, not only going from high school to the NBA, but just high school, I had to shed the type of player that I was, because, unless you are a five-star recruit, you are not going to do that type of stuff." "It's something you have to come to terms with, and put your ego aside. I kinda just try to do that and in terms of the NBA, knowing your role… The guys that stay the longest adapt to change and know their role the best," one of the key components to the Indiana Pacers' finals run added. McConnell was putting up numbers in HS Back in high school, believe it or not, McConnell was one of those guys who could light it up from anywhere on the court. In his senior year at Chartiers Valley High School, T.J. averaged 34.2 points, 8.2 rebounds and 9.1 assists per game and was named the Associated Press's Pennsylvania Class 3A Player of the Year. Quite impressive for someone who averaged "just" 9.1 points and 4.4 assists per game this campaign. Modest numbers on paper, but anyone who watched the Pacers' run to the Finals knows how big his role actually was. Every time Indiana needed a spark, every time they needed someone to dive on the floor or get to the paint for a bucket (yes, he did it quite often), it was McConnell who got called 2025 Finals were the "battle of role players" If the 2025 Finals taught us anything, it's that having a superstar helps, but having a bench full of guys who know exactly who they are is what wins you games in June. The Thunder had Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league MVP and the guy who could shift momentum with a single possession. But more often than not, it wasn't just him doing the heavy lifting; it was the supporting cast who were ready to do the job the right way. The same thing goes for Rick Carlisle's squad. Indiana didn't have a traditional superstar, not in the way the media usually defines it. But they had multiple guys who could answer the call when it mattered most. Tyrese Haliburton ran the show for the most part, Pascal Siakam brought playoff experience and length, Aaron Nesmith played bigger than his size all series long and Andrew Nembhard kept hitting timely shots like he had been there before. And then there was McConnell, a guy who averaged close to 35 in HS, diving for loose balls, turning defense into offense and making the plays that shift the energy in a building everyone could feed off. So, for every hooper dreaming of dropping 30-point triple-doubles, this should serve as a wake-up call. "Do your thing," but don't forget to adapt when the game requires you to do so. It might sound like a cliche from a basketball movie, but in a league filled with talented superstars, the "others" who stick around are those who embrace their job and find a way to thrive in it. Just like McConnell story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jul 23, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
24-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
"We're going to OKC to try to win a world championship and my son's a part of it" - T.J. McConnell's father gets emotional after Game 6 of 2025 NBA Finals
"We're going to OKC to try to win a world championship and my son's a part of it" - T.J. McConnell's father gets emotional after Game 6 of 2025 NBA Finals originally appeared on Basketball Network. Tim McConnell is one of the most successful head coaches in the history of the Western Pennsylvania Interscholastic Athletic League. But after coaching the Chartiers Valley Boys team for 25 years, the girls team for four years and spending a season at Bishop Canevin, he retired from coaching in 2023 to watch his kids play. Advertisement The timing couldn't have been better. Not only did Tim watch his daughter Megan star for the Duquesne Dukes, but he also got to see his son T.J. play in the 2024 Eastern Conference finals. This year has been even more rewarding, with Megan signing with the Phoenix Mercury and T.J.'s Indiana Pacers advancing to the NBA Finals. "I can't be more proud to say that I have a son in the NBA and I have a daughter in the WNBA. This is a dream come true. And I'm going to OKC for my son to play in the championship game to win the world championship," said the older McConnell after Indiana won Game 6 108-91 to force a Game 7. T.J.'s dad crashed his interview Tim was supposed to be a spectator in Thursday night's game. However, after his son T.J. helped the Pacers force Game 7 with his superb performance 6, the two got their airtime after the game, and the older McConnell got to share his heartwarming story. Advertisement After recording 12 points, nine rebounds, six assists and four steals in a masterful two-way effort, the Pacers guard was invited to NBA TV's postgame broadcast table for an interview. But when co-host Isiah Thomas saw his father watching the interview from afar, he asked him to join them at the table. "I'mma tell you right now. He's a warrior. You're fright, it does not matter how tall you are," an obviously excited father said while putting his arms around T.J. "Excellent," he added when he was asked what he thought of his son's performance. "Just disappointed that he missed two foul shots at the beginning. I kept saying, 'Man, wished he would have made those two foul shots,' but he recovered and won the game. So, I can forget about the foul shots. Anything can happen in Game 7. We're going to OKC to try to win a world championship, and my son's a part of it. And I can't believe that." Proud father When Tim retired two years ago, he did not know how he would cope without coaching after being immersed in it for so long. However, things could not have gone any better. Advertisement After going undrafted in 2015, T.J. has found a home with the Pacers, and he had his best year in the NBA in 2023-24 when his dad started following him around. Last season, Tim watched T.J. and the Pacers pull off a Game 7 win at the fabled Madison Square Garden. On Sunday, he will be flying to Oklahoma City to cheer on his son one last time this season as the Pacers seek immortality in Game 7 with the Larry O'Brien trophy on the line. No matter what happens, Tim will still have plenty of basketball left to watch, with daughter Megan expected to return from a knee injury in a couple of weeks. Related: "They are going to have to start to paying guys" - Doc Rivers breaks down why OKC won't be able to keep this team together This story was originally reported by Basketball Network on Jun 20, 2025, where it first appeared.
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ben Roethlisberger paints troubling picture for Steelers, T.J. Watt contract situation
Everyone has an opinion on the T.J. Watt holdout that appears to be brewing — including Steelers legendary QB Ben Roethlisberger. On his podcast, Footbahlin with Ben Roethlisberger, Big Ben discussed the possibility of Watt and the Steelers being far apart on a potential deal and compared the situation to his infamous "hold-in" in 2021: Advertisement "This year he's not there — and so you asked the question, what's the difference? I don't know. Only T.J. knows the difference. My only speculation and guess — and it's because you brought it up — [the Steelers and Watt] must not be close," argued Big Ben. "Like, if you're close — I would think T.J. would do what he did last time, like, 'Okay, we're close. We'll get this thing done.' Maybe they're not even in the ballpark, and T.J.'s like, 'Why am I coming if we're not in the ballpark?'" Roethlisberger's speculative take makes perfect sense — as reaching the new $40 million per year standard set by Browns DE Myles Garrett makes these negotiations far more difficult. For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers, T.J. Watt may not be close to agreement, per Big Ben
Yahoo
19-06-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
T.J. Watt receives brotherly support from J.J. on Steelers contract drama amid OTA absence
T.J. Watt has been making headlines over his absence from Steelers OTAs — an issue clearly tied to contract extension negotiations with Pittsburgh. His older brother, J.J. Watt, however, recently supported T.J. in a major way on Wednesday's episode of The Pat McAfee Show. When first asked about providing an update on his brother's extension talks with the Steelers, J.J. pleaded the Fifth: Advertisement "I have a lot of information on that subject — that's not my subject to discuss." J.J. would, however, discuss the subject a little further when Trey Hendrickson's situation with the Bengals was compared to T.J.'s with Pittsburgh: "I've long been a big believer that ownership and front offices treat this like a business, but they do not like it when the players flip the script on them and treat it like business back. Taking care of your guys earlier does a few things for you. Number one, it gets them locked in at a lower price in the long run. I mean, you look at what prices are doing every single year — you get them locked in at a lower price. Number two, you're keeping them happy." J.J. tried warning the Steelers back in March that waiting on extending T.J. would only make the situation worse — and it truly feels like there isn't a "hometown discount" to be had anymore as Steelers OTAs roll on without their star edge rusher. Advertisement For up-to-date Steelers coverage, follow us on X @TheSteelersWire and give our Facebook page a like. This article originally appeared on Steelers Wire: Steelers criticized by J.J. Watt over T.J.'s contract situation
